Summary Of The Fat Girl By Andre Dubus

In Andre Dubus short story “The Fat Girl” it follows Louise from age nine until the time she became a mother. Louise faces the negative outlooks society has on food addictions and its affection on women. Louise’s mother is ashamed of Louise’s weight problem as she constantly mentioned Louise’s possibility of being attractive to males will be unlikely. Louise’s mother tries to monitor her food intake, but that only made Louise stash snacks in her bedroom or sneak into the kitchen when her mother was sleep or not paying attention. On the other hand, Louise’s father feels as if Louise should not be limited to what she eats. Even with the unconditional love of Louise’s Father, Louise finds it hard to overcome his sympathy and the verbal abuse from her mother and friends.

Her two childhood friends, Joan and Marjorie were both thin although they saw themselves differently. However, Louise intentionally picked those two friends because they’re thin and she was always concerned about the way others see her. In addition to her self-image , Louise is uncertain of her ability to find happiness in an intimate relationship. Her mother set up this negative outlook by saying, “In five years you’ll be in high school and if your fat the boys won’t like you; they

While searching, she meets the only close friend she’ll make, Carrie, who is thin but has emotional problems. One day, Carrie caught her secretly eating and offered her with her food intake. Though Carrie is basically reinforcing Louise unfit body( self-hatred) she decides to take Carrie’s offer. Starting the diet, Louise begins to become unhappy and irritated with life. This can be further seen when Louise feels disgrace and shame when she goes to Carrie's home for thanksgiving. Louise is uncomfortable and feels barred in sharing of the numerous dishes the other thin individuals can agreeably